Method of reducing ores.



F. M. BEGKET.

METHOD OF REDUCING ORBS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 24, 1908.

Patented Aug. 16, 1910.

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FREDERICK M. IBEOKET, F NIAGARA FALLS NEW YORK, ASSIGNOH. TO ELEDTEO -METALLURGICAL COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

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siding at Niagara Falls,-inthe county of I\' 'iagara and State of New York, have invented certaln new and useful Improvements in Methods of Reducing Ores, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide an electric furnace method of reducing ores, the method being particularly adapted for use in operations wherein it is desirable that the metal or alloy produced should contain a comparativelly small proportion of carbon or a practicable minimum thereof.

According to the invention the reduction is efi'ected in a molten bath by means of heat developed byan alternating or direct elec- 'tric current carried to or from the bath by means of a metallic electrode or electrodes, while cooling the electrode or electrodes to a sufficient extent to prevent substantialmelting, corrosion or solution of the metal by the molten bath or the products of the reduction. i

In operation the portion of the electrodes immersed in the bath becomes covered or coated with a more orless solid protective coating of the constituents ofthe bat-h. this coating being at thetempecature employed a conductor of electricity.

In carrying the invention into elfect I provide a. charge comprising an ore or com-v pound of a refractory metal as chromium, tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium or the like, and a reducing agent. Usually a basic or acid llux adapted to produce a suitably fusible slag is added to the charge, the con ditions in iill cases being chosen to-provide a molten bath in. presence of which the re duction occurs. The reducing agent may be carbon, which is prefe'ably used insubstantially the proportion required to combine with the oxygen or other non-metallic constituents of the ore, whereby its sub stantially complete elimination is secured and a metallic product loW in carbon i. o b taincd. 01' instead of carbon I may employ such other reducing agents as calcium carbid, silicon carbichsilicon or ferro-silicon, according to the ore to be treated and. the product sought.

A single water-cooled electrode-or a group of such electrodes of common polarity may be employed, the current. passing between Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Au Mi, Mitt Application filed March 24, 1908. Serial No. 422,985.

such electrode or electrodes and the walls of be employed, depending into the molten bath or slag and adjustable therein if desired.

A suitable form of electrode for most reducing operations comprisesa hollow block of cast iron provided with connections for the circulation of'water or other cooling medium. y

An electrode of this character is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein the ligure is a central verti ".11 section through the. block and cooling pipes.

In said figure 1 represents a metal block of size and form adapted to the furnace in which it is to be used, the block having walls 2 of moderate'and preferably substantially uniform thickness.

' 3, l represent pipe connections for supply and discharge of a cooling medium, these being ofcomparatively large size and serv mg also to support the electrode in the bath a and tcconvey the current to the block 1.

Instead of cast iron I may employ Wrought iron; or for special operations wherein it 1s desired to avoid contamination of the prod;

' high temperatures are used it is ofteudesirable to employ as electrodes metals or alloys having a higher melting point than iron, such for instance ferro-titanlum.

In operation the rate of supply of the cooling medium and the cui rent dens ty at the surface of the metallic electrode should be so re ulated as to provide at the electrode surface a temperature at which a non-fluid protective layer of the constituents of the bath will coatthe innnersed portionoi? the electrode,protecting it from the action of the bath or the products of the reduction, whils -not unduly increasing the resistance to the passage of the electric current.

The reduction of ores or compounds in the electric furnace, particularly for the production of low-carbon'ferrmalloys, may also be elfccled by the use-as electrodes of alloys fusible metallic bodies, as titanium carbid or titanium-iron-carbon alloys. The fusing points of these several metallic bodies are so high that in certain cases wherein they serve as electrodes it is, unnecessary to apply special cooling means.

I claim:

1. The method of reducing ores which consists in passing through a molten bath containing a compound of a metal and a reducing agent an electric current carried by a metallic electrode depending into the bath,

- bath and reduction products.

3. The method of reducing ores which consists .in passing through a molten bath containing a compound of a metal and a reducing agent an electric current carried by I a metallic electrode depending into the bath,

and cooling said electrode sufiiciently to cause maintain on the immersed portion thereot a protective, non-fluid, electrically conductive coating of the constituents of the bath.

l. The method of reducing ores which consists in passing through a molten bath containinga compound of a metal and a reducing agent an electric current carried by a metallic electrode maintained out of contact with the metallic reduction products, said electrode having a melting point substantially higher than that of iron, and cooling said electrode to protect it from the bath and reduction products.

5. The method of reducing ores which consists in passing through a molten bath containing a compound of a metal and a rcducing agent an electric current carried by a metallic electrode maintained out of contact with the metallic reduction products, said electrode having a. melting point substantially higher than that of iron.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK M. BECKET. \Vitnesses J. N. DEINHARDT, DEAN BURGESS. 

